Merkourios

The UN Committee against Torture has found that Spain violated its obligations under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in its treatment of Senegalese asylum seeker Mr Sonko, who drowned after being forced out of a Spanish Civil Guard vessel.

This decision exemplifies that placing a person in a situation that causes his or her death will constitute cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment in contravention of article 16 of the Convention. The Committee demanded that Spain investigate the circumstances of the case, prosecute those responsible and provide compensation to Mr Sonko's family.

See: Sonko v Spain, UN Doc CAT/C/47/D/368/2008 (20 February 2012)

http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cat/docs/CAT-C-47-D-368-2008_en.doc